Why Did A.R. Rahman Change His Name?
A.R. Rahman, the renowned Indian musician, composer, and producer, has been a household name in the music industry for decades. However, there’s an intriguing story behind the change of his name. Let’s delve into the reasons and the impact it had on his career.
Early Life and Initial Name
A.R. Rahman was born on January 6, 1956, in Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India. His birth name was A.S. Dileep Kumar. He was the son of R.S. Dileep Kumar, a film producer, and A.S. Krishnaveni. As a child, he was known as Dileep Kumar, and he was deeply influenced by his family’s involvement in the film industry.
The Change to A.R. Rahman
At the age of 17, A.R. Rahman decided to change his name. The reason behind this decision was multifaceted. Firstly, he wanted to distance himself from his family’s film background and establish his own identity in the music industry. Secondly, he believed that his name, A.S. Dileep Kumar, was too long and complex for the international audience to pronounce and remember.
| Initial Name | Meaning | New Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| A.S. Dileep Kumar | A.S. stands for A.S. Dileep Kumar, his father’s name. Dileep Kumar is his father’s name. | A.R. Rahman | A.R. stands for A.S. (Arivazhagan) and R. (Rahman). Rahman is his mother’s name. |
After much contemplation, A.R. Rahman chose the name A.R. Rahman. The initials A.R. stand for A.S. (Arivazhagan), which is his middle name, and R. (Rahman), which is his mother’s name. This new name was shorter, easier to pronounce, and reflected his identity as a musician.
The Impact of the Name Change
The change of name had a significant impact on A.R. Rahman’s career. It helped him establish a unique identity in the music industry and made it easier for the international audience to remember and pronounce his name. Over the years, A.R. Rahman has become one of the most recognized and respected musicians in the world, with numerous awards and accolades to his name.
Some of the notable achievements of A.R. Rahman include winning two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song for the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008). He has also received numerous other awards, including 15 Filmfare Awards, 12 National Film Awards, and 12 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the change of name from A.S. Dileep Kumar to A.R. Rahman was a pivotal moment in A.R. Rahman’s life and career. It allowed him to establish his own identity in the music industry and helped him gain international recognition. Today, A.R. Rahman is a celebrated musician whose music has touched the hearts of millions around the world.
